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Abstract:

An object of the present invention is to provide an abnormality detection
device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor and an abnormality detection
method for an in-cylinder pressure sensor that is able to detect preload
loss abnormality of an in-cylinder pressure sensor. An in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 has a strain gauge element 20 to which preload was
given. Under an operating state of an internal-combustion engine, it is
judged whether Pim/Pex that is a ratio of intake pressure Pim to exhaust
gas pressure Pex is 1. Reset of temperature drift is performed when
Pim/Pex is 1. If an output voltage V (Pim) which serves as a base of
calculation of Pim after the reset of a temperature drift is equal to a
circuit limit value Vmin, existence of preload loss abnormality is
determined.

Claims:

1. An abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
comprising: obtaining means for obtaining an output from the in-cylinder
pressure sensor, the in-cylinder pressure sensor including an pressure
sensing element, the pressure sensing element being provided with
preload; output abnormality detecting means for detecting existence or
nonexistence of dead band in output characteristic of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor; drift reset means for performing reduction or
cancellation of output drift of the in-cylinder pressure sensor; and
preload loss abnormality detecting means for detecting existence or
nonexistence of preload loss abnormality on a basis of existence or
nonexistence of the dead band in the output characteristic of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor after the drift reset means performs the
reduction or the cancellation of the output drift.

2. The abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
according to claim 1, wherein the drift reset means includes abnormal
circumstance drift reset means, the abnormal circumstance drift reset
means performs reduction or cancellation of output drift of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor when the output abnormality detecting means
detects the existence or nonexistence of the dead band; the preload loss
abnormality detecting means detecting existence or nonexistence of
preload loss abnormality on a basis of existence or nonexistence of the
dead band in the output characteristic of the in-cylinder pressure sensor
after the abnormal circumstance drift reset means performs the reduction
or the cancellation of the output drift.

3. The abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
according to claim 2, wherein the output abnormality detecting means
detects, in the output characteristic, dead band that prevents
measurement of at least one of intake pressure and exhaust pressure in a
measurement target cylinder.

4. The abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drift reset means
performs reduction or cancellation of output drift so that measurement of
at least lower one of intake pressure and exhaust pressure becomes
possible; the preload loss abnormality detecting means detecting
existence or nonexistence of preload loss abnormality after the abnormal
circumstance drift reset means performs the reduction or the cancellation
of the output drift, on a basis of existence or nonexistence of dead band
that prevents measurement of at least one of intake pressure and exhaust
pressure in a measurement target cylinder.

5. The abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: intake stroke
in-cylinder pressure obtaining means for obtaining intake stroke
in-cylinder pressure, the intake stroke in-cylinder pressure being
in-cylinder pressure in a measurement target cylinder in an intake
stroke; and exhaust stroke in-cylinder pressure obtaining means for
obtaining exhaust stroke in-cylinder pressure, the exhaust stroke
in-cylinder pressure being in-cylinder pressure in the measurement target
cylinder in an exhaust stroke; wherein the output abnormality detecting
means includes pressure ratio abnormality detecting means, the pressure
ratio abnormality detecting means detects the dead band on a basis of a
ratio of the in-cylinder pressure and the intake stroke in-cylinder
pressure.

6. The abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
according to claim 5, further comprising: condition judgment means for
judging whether the internal combustion engine is under a condition that
a difference of in-cylinder pressure in intake stroke and in-cylinder
pressure in exhaust stroke is greater than the difference of normal
operation condition; wherein the pressure ratio abnormality detecting
means detects existence or nonexistence of the dead band in a case where
the condition judgment means judges that the difference of in-cylinder
pressure in intake stroke and in-cylinder pressure in exhaust stroke is
greater.

7. The abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
according to claim 5, further comprising: fuel-cut detecting means for
detecting whether or not a fuel-cut is performed in the internal
combustion engine; and closing means for closing an intake passage of the
internal combustion engine when the fuel-cut is performed; wherein the
pressure ratio abnormality detecting means detects the dead band when the
intake passage being closed.

8. The abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the output abnormality
detecting means detects existence of the dead band on a basis of a result
of detection by the pressure ratio abnormality detecting means and value
of output or change of output from the in-cylinder pressure sensor in
intake stroke.

9. The abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the preload loss
abnormality detecting means detects existence or nonexistence of preload
loss abnormality on a basis of a comparison of an output value from the
in-cylinder pressure sensor after the reduction or the cancellation of
the output drift by the drift reset means and an output limitation value
being an upper limit value or a lower limit value of a range of output
signal from the in-cylinder pressure sensor.

10. The abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the preload loss
abnormality detecting means detects existence or nonexistence of preload
loss abnormality on a basis of rate of change of output from the
in-cylinder pressure sensor in intake stroke of a measurement target
cylinder after the reduction or the cancellation of the output drift by
the drift reset means.

11. A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprising: an
in-cylinder pressure sensor including a pressure sensing element, the
pressure sensing element being provided with preload; control means for
controlling the internal combustion engine by using output from the
in-cylinder pressure sensor; the abnormality detection device for an
in-cylinder pressure sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and
restriction means for restricting the control means to nonuse of output
from the in-cylinder pressure sensor when preload loss abnormality in the
in-cylinder pressure sensor is detected.

12. The control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to
claim 11, wherein the restriction means includes parameter computation
means, the parameter computation means computes a parameter relating to
control of the internal combustion engine by using a part of output from
the in-cylinder pressure sensor, and the restriction means including:
influence judgment means for judging whether influence of preload loss
abnormality exists in the part of output used by the parameter
computation means, and sensor output use restriction means for
performing, in case where the influence of preload loss abnormality
exists in the part of output used by the parameter computation means,
prohibition of computation on a bases of the output from the in-cylinder
pressure sensor in the parameter computation means or prohibition of
control on a basis of the parameter computed by the parameter computation
means.

13. An abnormality detection method for an in-cylinder pressure sensor,
the in-cylinder pressure sensor including an pressure sensing element,
the pressure sensing element being provided with preload, being
characterized by: detecting existence or nonexistence of preload loss
abnormality on a basis of existence or nonexistence of a dead band
remaining in output characteristic of an in-cylinder pressure sensor
after performing drift compensation to the in-cylinder pressure sensor.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an abnormality detection device
for an in-cylinder pressure sensor, abnormality detection method for an
in-cylinder pressure sensor and a control apparatus for an internal
combustion engine.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] An in-cylinder pressure sensor for the purpose of measurement of
in-cylinder pressure of an internal combustion engine is known as
disclosed, for instance, in JP-A-2005-291091. There are several types of
in-cylinder pressure sensors such as a piezo-electric type in-cylinder
pressure sensor in which a piezo-electric element is used as a pressure
sensing element or a strain gage type in-cylinder pressure sensor in
which a strain gage is used as a pressure sensing element. Generally,
these types of in-cylinder pressure sensors are designed, manufactured or
installed so that preload is provided to its pressure sensing element for
the purpose of high accuracy measurement of in-cylinder pressure when the
in-cylinder pressure sensor is attached to an internal combustion engine.
A piezo-electric element in the following patent document 1 is attached
to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine so that preload is
provided as described above.

[0003] Patent Document 1: JP-A-2005-291091

[0004] Patent Document 2: JP-A-7-301145

[0005] Patent Document 3: JP-A-2007-327502

[0006] Patent Document 4: JP-A-2005-330904

[0007] Patent Document 5: JP-A-7-29436

[0008] Patent Document 6: JP-A-2006-64675

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

[0009] The inventor found out following knowledge as a result of earnest
study. That is, rapid combustion in abnormal combustion, such as a
knocking, may cause impulsive force in an operation of an internal
combustion engine. Also, in-cylinder pressure may become very large as
compared with usual operation. Thereby, rapid impulsive force or
excessive pressure is applied to an in-cylinder pressure sensor. The
influence of those impulsive force or excessive pressure may become so
large that a plastic deformation occurs in the in-cylinder pressure
sensor. Depending to the direction or the grade of this plastic
deformation, configuration of the in-cylinder pressure sensor may be
transformed so as to reduce preload of its pressure sensing element. If
preload is reduced, the output sensitivity improved by the preload will
fall, and as a result of this, trouble may occur in in-cylinder-pressure
measurement. With respect to detection of abnormality of an in-cylinder
pressure sensor caused by such preload loss, neither conventional arts
have disclosed any effective techniques.

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above problem. An
object of the present invention is to provide an abnormality detection
device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor and an abnormality detection
method for an in-cylinder pressure sensor that is able to detect preload
loss abnormality of an in-cylinder pressure sensor.

[0011] Other object of the present invention is to provide a control
apparatus for an internal combustion engine that is able to suppress a
harmful effect to the operational state of an internal combustion engine
caused by preload loss abnormality in an in-cylinder pressure sensor.

Solution to Problem

[0012] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a first aspect of the
present invention is an abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder
pressure sensor comprising:

[0013] obtaining means for obtaining an output from the in-cylinder
pressure sensor, the in-cylinder pressure sensor including an pressure
sensing element, the pressure sensing element being provided with
preload;

[0014] output abnormality detecting means for detecting existence or
nonexistence of dead band in output characteristic of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor;

[0015] drift reset means for performing reduction or cancellation of
output drift of the in-cylinder pressure sensor; and

[0016] preload loss abnormality detecting means for detecting existence or
nonexistence of preload loss abnormality on a basis of existence or
nonexistence of the dead band in the output characteristic of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor after the drift reset means performs the
reduction or the cancellation of the output drift.

[0017] A second aspect of the present invention is the abnormality
detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor according to the
first aspect of the present invention, wherein

[0019] the preload loss abnormality detecting means detecting existence or
nonexistence of preload loss abnormality on a basis of existence or
nonexistence of the dead band in the output characteristic of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor after the abnormal circumstance drift reset
means performs the reduction or the cancellation of the output drift.

[0020] A third aspect of the present invention is the abnormality
detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor according to the
second aspect of the present invention, wherein

[0021] the output abnormality detecting means detects, in the output
characteristic, dead band that prevents measurement of at least one of
intake pressure and exhaust pressure in a measurement target cylinder.

[0022] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the abnormality
detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor according to any one
of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein

[0023] the drift reset means performs reduction or cancellation of output
drift so that measurement of at least lower one of intake pressure and
exhaust pressure becomes possible;

[0024] the preload loss abnormality detecting means detecting existence or
nonexistence of preload loss abnormality after the abnormal circumstance
drift reset means performs the reduction or the cancellation of the
output drift, on a basis of existence or nonexistence of dead band that
prevents measurement of at least one of intake pressure and exhaust
pressure in a measurement target cylinder.

[0025] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the abnormality
detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor according to any one
of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, further
comprising:

[0028] the output abnormality detecting means includes pressure ratio
abnormality detecting means, the pressure ratio abnormality detecting
means detects the dead band on a basis of a ratio of the in-cylinder
pressure and the intake stroke in-cylinder pressure.

[0029] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the abnormality
detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor according to the
fifth aspect of the present invention, further comprising:

[0030] condition judgment means for judging whether the internal
combustion engine is under a condition that a difference of in-cylinder
pressure in intake stroke and in-cylinder pressure in exhaust stroke is
greater than the difference of normal operation condition; wherein

[0031] the pressure ratio abnormality detecting means detects existence or
nonexistence of the dead band in a case where the condition judgment
means judges that the difference of in-cylinder pressure in intake stroke
and in-cylinder pressure in exhaust stroke is greater.

[0032] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the abnormality
detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor according to the
fifth aspect of the present invention, further comprising:

[0033] fuel-cut detecting means for detecting whether or not a fuel-cut is
performed in the internal combustion engine; and

[0034] closing means for closing an intake passage of the internal
combustion engine when the fuel-cut is performed; wherein

[0035] the pressure ratio abnormality detecting means detects the dead
band when the intake passage being closed.

[0036] An eighth aspect of the present invention is the abnormality
detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor according to any one
of the fifth to seventh aspects of the present invention, wherein

[0037] the output abnormality detecting means detects existence of the
dead band on a basis of a result of detection by the pressure ratio
abnormality detecting means and value of output or change of output from
the in-cylinder pressure sensor in intake stroke.

[0038] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the abnormality
detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor according to any one
of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, wherein

[0039] the preload loss abnormality detecting means detects existence or
nonexistence of preload loss abnormality on a basis of a comparison of an
output value from the in-cylinder pressure sensor after the reduction or
the cancellation of the output drift by the drift reset means and an
output limitation value being an upper limit value or a lower limit value
of a range of output signal from the in-cylinder pressure sensor.

[0040] A tenth aspect of the present invention is the abnormality
detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor according to any one
of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, wherein

[0041] the preload loss abnormality detecting means detects existence or
nonexistence of preload loss abnormality on a basis of rate of change of
output from the in-cylinder pressure sensor in intake stroke of a
measurement target cylinder after the reduction or the cancellation of
the output drift by the drift reset means.

[0042] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a control apparatus
for an internal combustion engine comprising:

[0043] an in-cylinder pressure sensor including a pressure sensing
element, the pressure sensing element being provided with preload;

[0044] control means for controlling the internal combustion engine by
using output from the in-cylinder pressure sensor;

[0045] the abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor
according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present
invention; and

[0046] restriction means for restricting the control means to nonuse of
output from the in-cylinder pressure sensor when preload loss abnormality
in the in-cylinder pressure sensor is detected.

[0047] A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the control apparatus
for an internal combustion engine according to the eleventh aspect of the
present invention, wherein

[0048] the restriction means includes parameter computation means, the
parameter computation means computes a parameter relating to control of
the internal combustion engine by using a part of output from the
in-cylinder pressure sensor, and

[0049] the restriction means including:

[0050] influence judgment means for judging whether influence of preload
loss abnormality exists in the part of output used by the parameter
computation means, and

[0051] sensor output use restriction means for performing, in case where
the influence of preload loss abnormality exists in the part of output
used by the parameter computation means, prohibition of computation on a
bases of the output from the in-cylinder pressure sensor in the parameter
computation means or prohibition of control on a basis of the parameter
computed by the parameter computation means.

[0052] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a thirteenth aspect of the
present invention is an abnormality detection method for an in-cylinder
pressure sensor, the in-cylinder pressure sensor including an pressure
sensing element, the pressure sensing element being provided with
preload, being characterized by: detecting existence or nonexistence of
preload loss abnormality on a basis of existence or nonexistence of a
dead band remaining in output characteristic of an in-cylinder pressure
sensor after performing drift compensation to the in-cylinder pressure
sensor.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0053] The first aspect of the present invention makes it possible to
detect preload loss abnormality of in-cylinder pressure sensor. That is,
preload loss generates a dead band in the output characteristic of an
in-cylinder pressure sensor. The dead band originates in reduction of
preload in the in-cylinder pressure sensor. On the other hand, the
temperature variation in the circumstance of an in-cylinder pressure
sensor, or the like, may cause average level of output of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor to rise or fall to the grade that produces a dead band
(it is called "output drift"). Such output drift can be canceled by
installing drift compensation to the in-cylinder pressure sensor.
However, preload loss abnormality is unrecoverable by the drift
compensation since preload loss abnormality is an abnormality causing in
hardware of the in-cylinder pressure sensor. At this point, the first
aspect of the present invention includes the means for detecting
existence or nonexistence of preload loss abnormality on a basis of
output abnormality in output characteristic of an in-cylinder pressure
sensor after output drift compensation is performed. Thereby, it becomes
possible to detect that the output abnormality is caused by preload loss
abnormality.

[0054] In the second aspect of the present invention, the reduction or
cancellation of the output drift in an in-cylinder pressure sensor is
implemented when a dead band is detected by the output abnormality
detection means, and then, the preload loss abnormality detection means
performs detection of the abnormalities of a preload loss. Thereby,
detection can be performed quickly and certainly with respect to the
generated dead band which cannot be solved by output drift compensation.

[0055] According to the third aspect of the present invention, preload
loss abnormality in an in-cylinder pressure sensor can be detected
quickly. That is, intake pressure and exhaust pressure are relatively low
among in-cylinder pressures in one combustion cycle. Because of the
property of preload loss abnormality, the influence of preload loss
abnormality firstly produces measurement prevention of intake pressure or
exhaust pressure with high possibility. The third aspect of the present
invention can quickly detect that preload loss abnormality may have
occurred, by detecting the existence of the dead band in intake pressure
or exhaust pressure. Thereby, according to the third aspect, preload loss
abnormality of the in-cylinder pressure sensor can be detected quickly.

[0056] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, preload
loss abnormality in an in-cylinder pressure sensor can be detected
certainly. That is, according to the fourth aspect, output drift is
sufficiently solved to the grade which allows measurement of a lower one
of intake pressure and exhaust pressure. That is, a sufficient measure
against the output drift is certainly performed. Then, preload loss
abnormality detection can be performed on the basis of existence or
nonexistence of dead band in output characteristic from which the output
drift sufficiently reduced. Thereby, preload loss abnormality in the
in-cylinder pressure sensor can be detected certainly.

[0057] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, detection
of output abnormality of the in-cylinder pressure sensor can be performed
on the basis of the ratio of intake pressure and exhaust pressure
obtained from the output of the in-cylinder pressure sensor. In an
internal combustion engine in which intake air amount control is
performed, difference of exhaust pressure and intake pressure are, in
general, sufficiently large. Therefore, the value of the ratio of them
can be a basis for detecting whether or not dead band exists in both of
an intake pressure side and an exhaust pressure side of output
characteristic.

[0058] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, detection
of output abnormality based on the ratio of intake pressure and exhaust
pressure can be performed in a state where the difference of intake
pressure and exhaust pressure is greater than the difference of normal
operation condition. Thereby, accuracy can be improved in output
abnormality detection on the basis of the ratio of intake pressure and
exhaust pressure.

[0059] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, detection
of output abnormality based on the ratio of intake pressure and exhaust
pressure can be performed under intake-passage-closing-condition in that
the difference of intake pressure and exhaust pressure is still greater.
Thereby, accuracy can be improved in output abnormality detection on the
basis of the ratio of intake pressure and exhaust pressure.

[0060] The eighth aspect of the present invention can certainly detect a
case in that preload loss only prevents intake pressure measurement as a
target for a judgment of preload loss abnormality. That is, if the degree
of preload loss is markedly large, the sensitivity of the pressure
sensing element will fall so that measurement of both intake pressure and
exhaust pressure is prevented. However, preload loss may occur so that
exhaust pressure measurement is not prevented but intake pressure
measurement is prevented. The eighth aspect of the present invention
makes it possible not to miss the above case in the output abnormality
detection.

[0061] The ninth aspect of the present invention can perform detection of
existence or nonexistence of the dead band used for preload loss
abnormality detection, on the basis of the size of the output value from
the in-cylinder pressure sensor.

[0062] The tenth aspect of the present invention achieves following
advantage. That is, the output from the in-cylinder pressure sensor
should keep a constant value substantially while a dead band has occurred
in the in-cylinder pressure sensor except for a change by a noise or the
like. If a dead band occurs by preload loss, the dead band will appear at
first in an intake stroke where a pressure value is low (normally,
negative pressure). Therefore, existence of the dead band of an
in-cylinder pressure sensor is detectable on the basis of the rate of
change of the output from the in-cylinder pressure sensor in an intake
stroke. Furthermore, by using the rate of change of the output from the
in-cylinder pressure sensor as a base of detection, the dead band of an
in-cylinder pressure sensor can be detected in common under a plurality
of situations where the output value in a dead band is different each
other. That is, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
it is possible to deal with a plurality of situations where the output
value in each dead band region is different.

[0063] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when
preload loss abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection device
for an in-cylinder pressure sensor according to any one of the first to
eleventh aspects of the present invention, use of the output from the
in-cylinder pressure sensor can be, partially or completely, restricted.
This makes it possible to suppress that the output from the in-cylinder
pressure sensor including preload loss abnormality causes a harmful
effect in the control of internal combustion engine. Thereby, the harmful
effect in the control of internal combustion engine by preload loss
abnormality can be suppressed.

[0064] The twelfth aspect of the present invention makes it possible not
to use the output from the in-cylinder pressure sensor including an
influence of preload loss abnormality in the parameter computation means.
Furthermore, if an influence of preload loss abnormality exists in a
region where the parameter computation means does not use, the twelfth
aspect can regard such abnormality as allowable abnormality. This
achieves continuous use of the output of the in-cylinder pressure sensor
as far as the output is usable while suppressing a harmful effect in the
control of an internal combustion engine.

[0065] The thirteenth aspect of the present invention makes it possible to
detect preload loss abnormality of in-cylinder pressure sensor. That is,
the output drift can be compensated by drift compensation to the
in-cylinder pressure sensor. However, preload loss abnormality is
unrecoverable by the drift compensation since preload loss abnormality is
a hardware abnormality of the in-cylinder pressure sensor. The thirteenth
aspect of the present invention can detect preload loss abnormality of
in-cylinder pressure sensor on the basis of existence or nonexistence of
a dead band remaining in output characteristic of an in-cylinder pressure
sensor after performing output drift compensation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0066] FIG. 1 illustrates a premise configuration of an internal
combustion engine according to a first embodiment.

[0067]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the chief part of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5.

[0069]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the difference between
preload loss abnormality and the simple output offset resulting from a
temperature drift or the like.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the difference between preload
loss abnormality and the temperature drift.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a first sign judgment according
to the first embodiment.

[0072]FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a second sign judgment according
to the first embodiment.

[0073] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a routine that is executed by
the ECU 50 in the first embodiment.

[0074]FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a preload loss abnormality
detection technique according to the second embodiment.

[0075] FIG. 10 illustrates the rate of change of the value of an
in-cylinder pressure based on the output of the in-cylinder pressure
sensor 5 according to crank angle.

[0076] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a routine that is executed by
the ECU 50 in a second embodiment.

[0077] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a routine that is executed by
the ECU 50 in a third embodiment.

[0078] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an area where the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is used in the air content detection
program of a fourth embodiment.

[0079] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an area where the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is used in the MFB calculation program of
the fourth embodiment.

[0080] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an area where the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is used in the program for knocking
detection according to the fourth embodiment.

[0081] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a routine that is executed by
the ECU 50 in the fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

[Configuration of First Embodiment]

(System Configuration of Internal Combustion Engine)

[0082] FIG. 1 illustrates a premise configuration of an internal
combustion engine according to a first embodiment. In the first
embodiment, abnormality detection device for the in-cylinder pressure
sensor according to the present invention is installed in the internal
combustion engine illustrated in FIG. 1. Although FIG. 1 illustrates only
one cylinder for convenience, the present invention is applicable to a
multi-cylinder internal combustion engine.

[0083] The internal combustion engine illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an
air cleaner 1, a throttle valve 2, the air flow meter 3, a surge tank 4
in an intake passage. The downstream of the surge tank 4 communicates to
a combustion chamber via a intake port and an intake valve. Besides, the
internal combustion engine illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5, a spark plug 6, and a fuel direct injection injector 7
in the internal combustion engine upper part, i.e. cylinder head side.
The internal combustion engine illustrated in FIG. 1 has a crank angle
sensor 8 and a knock sensor 9. The internal combustion engine illustrated
in FIG. 1 also has a catalyst 10 and a catalyst 11 in an exhaust passage,
respectively. It should be noted that an exhaust gas sensor, such as an
air fuel ratio sensor, is also provided although its illustration is
omitted.

[0084] The internal-combustion engine of FIG. 1 has an ECU (Electronic
Control Unit) 50. An opening angle of the throttle valve 2, an intake air
amount KLAFM, a crank angle CA based on the crank angle sensor 8, an
in-cylinder pressure PC based on the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5,
and an output KNK of the knock sensor 9 are inputted to the ECU 50. The
ECU 50 also controls the spark plug 6 and the fuel direct injection
injector 7 based on various kinds of control parameters, such as ignition
timing SA and the rate of fuel injection tau.

(Configuration of the In-Cylinder Pressure Sensor 5)

[0085]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the chief part of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5. The in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 includes
a strain gage element 20 that changes a voltage value in accordance with
pressure. The strain gage element 20 is provided with a housing 22. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the housing 22 and a housing 24 are welded
together, and the housing 24 is also united with a pressure sensing
diaphragm 28. A transmission rod 26 is included in the inner space formed
of the housing 22 and the housing 24.

[0086] The strain gage element 20 is, in the first embodiment, a silicon
chip type element. A load is provided to the strain gage element 20 in
its manufacturing process. The strain gage element 20 has received a load
which is previously provided (hereinafter, referred to as a "preload"),
when mounted to the internal combustion engine being installed in the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5. The preload is mainly given for the
purpose of a zero point offset adjustment. That is, the preload is given
to the strain gage element 20 for adjusting output characteristic of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 based on an output value under a situation
where the in-cylinder pressure is 0 [MPa]. Since the preload is given,
the strain gage element 20 can output voltages in accordance with
pressure with sufficient accuracy within a full range of pressure arising
in a target cylinder for measurement of in-cylinder pressure during a
combustion cycle. It should be noted that a target cylinder of
in-cylinder pressure measurement is simply referred to as a "measurement
target cylinder", hereinafter.

[0087] The in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is positioned so that the
lowerside portion in FIG. 2 faces the combustion chamber. When the
pressure sensing diaphragm 28 receives pressure in the cylinder, the
pressure reaches finally to the side of the strain gage element 20 via
the transmission rod 26. At the result of this, the strain gage element
20 becomes to be strained, then the voltage value of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 changes. The voltage value can be used as the basis of
in-cylinder pressure measurement.

[0088] A circuit unit 30 and a drift reset unit 30a are illustrated in
FIG. 2 as a block diagram. The output from the strain gage element 20 is
inputted to the circuit unit 30. The circuit unit 30 serves to output the
change of electronic signal from the strain gage element 20 as the output
of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 to the outside. Also, in the first
embodiment, the drift reset unit 30a is provided to cancel the influence
of temperature drift. The circuit unit 30 and the drift reset unit 30a
are connected to the ECU 50.

[0089] It is known that, so called as "output drift", an increase or a
decrease of average level of output from a in-cylinder pressure sensor
may be caused by, for example, a change of temperature or the like in the
vicinity of the in-cylinder pressure sensor. The drift according to the
temperature change is called a temperature drift. It is normally regarded
as a problem that the output level from an in-cylinder pressure sensor
shifts by the temperature drift. In the first embodiment, the circuit
unit 30 includes the drift reset unit 30a in order to cope with the
temperature drift of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5. Furthermore, a
function for the temperature drift detection is installed in the ECU 50.
In the first embodiment, the ECU 50 controls the drift reset unit 30a as
necessary, and this achieves compensation by drift compensation.

[0090] It should be noted that the configuration for cancellation of drift
reset in an in-cylinder pressure sensor is not limited. That is, various
types of conventional peripheral circuits or drift compensation
techniques according to the configuration of in-cylinder pressure sensor,
whether hardware type or software type, are known. These conventional
arts may be used or applied properly so as to provide a function of drift
compensation with an internal combustion engine.

[Abnormality Detection of First Embodiment]

(Analysis Result of Preload Loss Abnormality)

[0091] The inventor earnestly studied to analyze preload loss and then
following knowledge was obtained. That is, a piezo-electric type
in-cylinder pressure sensor, in which a piezo-electric element is used as
a pressure sensing element, or a strain gage type in-cylinder pressure
sensor, in which a strain gage is used as a pressure sensing element, are
typically used as an in-cylinder pressure sensor. Generally, in these
types of in-cylinder pressure sensors, preload is provided to its
pressure sensing element when the in-cylinder pressure sensor is attached
to an internal combustion engine for the purpose of high accuracy
measurement of in-cylinder pressure. As described above, preload is also
given to the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 according to the first
embodiment.

[0092] Impulsive force or excessive pressure may occur in an operation of
an internal combustion engine. That is, impulsive force may occur with
rapid combustion in abnormal combustion, such as a knocking, or
in-cylinder pressure may become very large as compared with that in usual
operation. In the first embodiment, similarly, those impulsive force or
excessive pressure may affect the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 so as to
cause a plastic deformation in the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5.
Specifically, for example, when the excessive force is applied to a
contact portion of the housing 22 and the transmission rod 26, and then
an end portion of the transmission rod 26 is crushed so as to be flat.
Besides, the welded portion of the housing 22 and the housing 24 carries
out a plastic deformation. This plastic deformation may reduce the
preload provided to the strain gage element 20. As a result of this, the
output sensitivity improved by the preload will fall, and trouble may
occur in in-cylinder-pressure measurement.

[0093] FIGS. 3 to 5 are figures for explaining the content of still more
detailed analysis about preload loss which the inventor studied.
Hereafter, the abnormalities of the in-cylinder pressure sensor caused by
preload loss are explained in detail referring with FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0094]FIG. 3 schematically shows an output characteristic 60 of normal
conditions and an output characteristic 62 including preload loss
abnormality of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5. The axis of ordinate of
FIG. 3 illustrates an output voltage of the in-cylinder pressure sensor
5, and the lateral axis of FIG. 3 illustrates a pressure P (namely,
pressure which is an in-cylinder pressure of the internal-combustion
engine, and is applied to the diaphragm 28) which the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 is measuring. The voltage V0 in

[0095]FIG. 3 is a zero point output of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5
in the normal conditions after zero point offset is performed. On the
other hand, the voltage Vmin in FIG. 3 means an output voltage lower
limit value determined by the hardware of the in-cylinder pressure sensor
5, that is, a lower limit of the output voltage which the internal
circuit of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 can output. Hereafter, for
convenience, a hardware minimum voltage value of the in-cylinder pressure
sensor is also referred to as a "circuit limit value". Besides, a state
where the lower limit of an in-cylinder pressure sensor output reaches
the circuit limit value is also referred to as a "lower output
saturation" and a part of the output, which the lower part output
saturation has occurred, of the in-cylinder pressure sensor is also
referred to as a "lower output saturation point."

[0096] As mentioned above, in general, zero point offset is performed to
the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 by preload. Therefore, in the normal
state, the output voltage from the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 rises
from voltage V0 according to increase of pressure P. However, if preload
loss occurs in the strain gauge element 20, the average value of the
output voltage of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 will shift to the
low-voltage side on the average. If such shift amount on the low-voltage
side is large, the output voltage of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5
will shift to the degree in which the output voltage of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 on the side of low-pressure range falls below the
circuit limit value Vmin. As a result of this, dead band occurs in the
output characteristic 62 as illustrated in FIG. 3, thereby pressure
measurement becomes prevented on the low-pressure side.

[0097]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the difference between
preload loss abnormality and the simple output offset resulting from a
temperature drift or the like. In the temperature drift, the output level
of an in-cylinder pressure sensor shifts greatly according to temperature
(for example, refer to JP-A-7-301145). When the output of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 markedly shifts to lower voltage by the temperature
drift, it is assumed that dead band occurs like the output characteristic
70 in FIG. 4. Here, if the output characteristic 70 occurred by the
temperature drift, the output characteristic is recovered as the output
characteristic 72 or 74 by performing the compensation of the temperature
drift. That is, the dead band can be removed. However, if the output
characteristic 70 occurred for the same reason as the output
characteristic 60 in FIG. 3 (namely, preload loss abnormality), the
output characteristic is not recovered even if temperature drift
compensation is performed.

[0098] The difference between preload loss abnormality and the temperature
drift will now be described in more detail by using FIG. 5. FIG. 5A
schematically shows the state of the temperature drift. As an example,
the output of the in-cylinder pressure sensor for each crank angle is
illustrated schematically. The in-cylinder pressure sensor illustrated in
description of FIG. 5 has a characteristic in which output voltage
carries out a drift to the low-voltage side as its surrounding
temperature becomes higher (that is, water temperature of internal
combustion engine (hereinafter, referred to as "Thw") becomes higher).
The output characteristic 82 illustrates a state where
internal-combustion-engine water temperature (hereinafter, referred to as
"Thw") is relatively low, and the output characteristic 84 illustrates a
state where the internal-combustion-engine water temperature Thw is
relatively high. Hereinafter, consideration is given to the case where
the output of an in-cylinder pressure sensor changes from the normal
output characteristic 80 to the output characteristic 82 or 84 by the
temperature drift . It should be noted that there may be an in-cylinder
pressure sensor in which an output drift by a temperature change occurs
in opposite direction from the described case. However, both are the same
with respect to a point that a temperature change causes an output drift
in the specific direction. Therefore, in order to avoid duplication,
description is made only about the case where output voltage carries out
a drift to the low-voltage side as surrounding temperature becomes
higher.

[0099] In the case of a temperature drift, the degree of the drift changes
according to the surrounding temperature of an in-cylinder pressure
sensor. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, a terminal point of dead
band turns into a point 83 when the internal combustion engine water
temperature Thw is low, and the terminal point of dead band turns into a
point 85 when the internal combustion engine water temperature Thw is
high. That is, the degree of the lower output saturation changes in
accordance with variation of surrounding temperature. On the other hand,
FIG. 5B schematically shows the state of preload loss abnormality. In
case of an output characteristic 86 caused by preload loss abnormality,
unlike the case of temperature drift illustrated in FIG. 5A, the degree
of lower output saturation is not affected by surrounding temperature.
Thus, preload loss abnormality and the temperature drift are clearly
different.

(Basic Operation of the Preload-Loss Abnormality Detection According to
First Embodiment)

[0100] The inventor found out an effective technique of detecting preload
loss abnormality on a basis of the above knowledge. Hereafter, basic
operation of abnormality detection according to the first embodiment will
now be described.

[0101] As described above, when preload loss abnormality occurs in the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5, dead band occurs in the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5. As described above, appearance of this
dead. band indicates a similar condition to temperature offset. However,
if it is the temperature drift, the drift reset part 30a can compensate
the drift. On the other hand, preload loss abnormality is not recoverable
by the drift compensation of the drift reset part 30a because preload
loss is an abnormality of hardware of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5.

[0102] Therefore, the first embodiment performs a judgment whether or not
there is a sign indicating an occurrence of preload loss abnormality
(hereafter, this judgment is also referred to as a "sign judgment"). That
is, in the first embodiment, detection is performed to detect existence
or nonexistence of the dead band which can be regarded as a sign of a
preload loss in the output characteristic of the in-cylinder pressure
sensor 5.

[0103] When the above mentioned dead band is detected, the drift reset
unit 30a performs the drift compensation on the supposition that a
temperature drift has occurred. Here, the drift compensation is performed
as if the dead band is caused by the temperature drift and the
temperature drift can be sufficiently canceled.

[0104] Then, one more time, it is investigated whether the dead band
exists in the output characteristic of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5.
If the dead band still remains after the drift compensation, it can be
judged that this dead band is caused not by output offset but by preload
loss abnormality.

[Sign Judgment of Preload Loss Abnormality According to the First
Embodiment]

[0105] Hereinafter, techniques of the sign judgment according to the first
embodiment will now be described in detail. The first embodiment uses a
combination of two techniques for the sign judgment. A first sign
judgment technique is a technique which takes into consideration the
relationship between intake pressure and exhaust pressure of an
internal-combustion engine. A second sign judgment technique is a
technique which takes into consideration the output value which the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 should output in an intake stroke.

(1) First Sign-Judgment-Technique According to the First Embodiment

[0106] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the first sign judgment
according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6A illustrates the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 according to crank angle. As described
before, if preload loss abnormality occurs, the output level of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 will shift to low-voltage side on the
average due to the degradation of output sensitivity. Following this, as
illustrated in FIG. 6A, the output characteristic of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 changes from the normal characteristic illustrated in
the upside of the figure to the characteristic illustrated in the bottom
side of the figure. FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view of the area of
the dashed line A in FIG. 6A.

[0107] Generally, it is satisfied that exhaust pressure is sufficiently
larger than intake pressure in a natural aspiration type internal
combustion engine in which intake air amount control is performed with a
throttle valve or the like. The first sign judgment technique pays
attention to the difference of the intake pressure and the exhaust
pressure. Specifically, an intake stroke pressure Pim indicates a value
of the in-cylinder pressure obtained based on the output voltage of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 at the time of crank angle=minus 180 degree
in the intake stroke. Also, an exhaust stroke pressure Pex indicates a
value of the in-cylinder pressure obtained based on the output voltage of
the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 at the time of crank angle being 270
degrees in the exhaust stroke. Then, those ratio Pim/Pex is used for the
sign judgment.

[0108] As described above, a relationship of Pim<<Pex should be
filled in case of an internal combustion engine whose exhaust pressure is
sufficiently larger than its intake pressure. Therefore, if the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is normal, the ratio Pim/Pex becomes
sufficiently smaller than 1. On the other hand, due to the influence of
the dead band, output voltage shows the circuit limit value Vmin in both
the intake stroke and the exhaust stroke in the output characteristic
when preload loss abnormality occurs (see the output characteristic of
the bottom side in FIG. 6A and 6B). Thus, in this case, the ratio Pim/Pex
becomes equal to 1. Therefore, by a judgment whether the ratio Pim/Pex is
1 or not, it is possible to judge whether or not there is a sign of
appearance of preload loss abnormality.

(2) Second Sign-Judgment-Technique According to the First Embodiment

[0109] Next, the second sign judgment technique will now be described by
using FIG. 7. In an internal combustion engine that its exhaust pressure
is sufficiently larger than its intake pressure, when preload loss
occurs, the output level of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 may changes
as illustrated in FIG. 7. That is, the sensitivity of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 may remain to such an extent that exhaust pressure can
be measured although intake pressure cannot be measured normally. As a
result, the ratio Pim/Pex shows values other than one although preload
loss has occurred to the degree by which measurement of intake pressure
is prevented. Therefore, if the sign judgment fully depends on the
criterion of the first sign judgment technique, the preload loss
abnormality as illustrated in FIG. 7 may be missed.

[0110] For this reason, in the first embodiment, the second sign judgment
is performed as described below. First, the output voltage value of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 showing the intake stroke pressure Pim is
obtained. Hereinafter, this voltage value is referred to as V (Pim).
Next, if the ratio Pim/Pex shows other than 1 in the above-mentioned
first sign judgment, then it is judged whether or not the voltage value V
(Pim) is larger than the circuit limit value Vim. If the voltage value V
(Pim) does not exceed the circuit limit value Vim, in other words, if the
voltage value V (Pim) is so low as to equal to the circuit limit value
Vim, there is a possibility that preload loss abnormality may occur as
illustrated in FIG. 7. Therefore, the present embodiment also regards
this case as the sign of preload loss. This makes it possible to treat
the case, in which the dead band due to preload loss abnormality occurs
only in the intake pressure side, as the target of the sign judgment.

[Details of Process Performed by First Embodiment]

[0111] A process according to the first embodiment will now be described
in detail. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a routine that is executed
by the ECU 50 in the first embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, step
S100 achieves the above described first sign judgment, and step S102
achieves the above described first sign judgment.

[0112] First, the routine illustrated in FIG. 8 performs a judgment step
about whether or not Pim/Pex is 1 (step S100). At this step, first, the
ECU 50 computes the intake stroke pressure Pim on the basis of output
which the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 shows when the crank angle sensor
8 indicates crank angle=minus 180 degree. Sequently, the ECU 50 computes
the exhaust stroke pressure Pex on the basis of output which the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 shows when the crank angle sensor 8
indicates crank angle=270 degree. It should be noted that an exhaust
stroke pressure in the last combustion cycle and an intake stroke
pressure in present combustion cycle may be also used. Then, Pim/Pex,
which is a ratio of the Pim and the Pex obtained here, is compared with
1. Thereby, judgment processing whether or not these are the same is
performed. At this step S100, the above described first
sign-judgment-technique is achieved.

[0113] If the query in step S100 is answered "No", it is judged whether
the relationship of V (Pim)>Vmin is filled or not (step S102). At this
step, the circuit limit value Vmin is compared with the output voltage V
(Pim) of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 which is used as the basis of
Pim in step S100. The circuit limit value Vmin is a value determined in
accordance with the specification of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5,
and the ECU 50 memorize the Vmin beforehand. If the query in step S102 is
answered "No", it is possible to consider, at this stage, that the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 corresponds to neither the first sign
judgment criterion nor the second sign judgment criterion. Therefore, the
routine comes to an end.

[0114] If the condition of at least one of step S100 or S102 is
established, the drift reset is performed (step S104). At this step, the
drift reset unit 30a compensates the temperature drift of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 so as to cancel it. If the sign detected in the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 at step S100 or S102 is caused by the
temperature drift, the sign will disappear by processing at this step
S104.

[0115] After step S104, then, a judgment whether or not V (Pim) equals to
Vmin is performed (step S106). At this step, comparison of V (Pim) and
Vmin is performed like step S102 described above. If the query in step
S106 is answered "No", in other words, if V (Pim) and Vmin are not same,
it is possible to consider that preload loss abnormality found at step
S100 or S102 is caused by the temperature drift. Furthermore, it is
possible to consider that temperature drift compensation at step S104
could solve the abnormality in the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5.
Therefore, the routine comes to step S110 and performs a judgment that
there is no abnormality and a judgment that the sign is from the
temperature drift, then the routine comes to the end.

[0116] On the other hand, if the condition of step S106 is established,
the routine comes to step S108. At step S108, the routine concludes that
preload loss abnormality has occurred. The reason why is that, in spite
of the drift reset of step S104, V (Pim) is equal to Vmin. Consequently,
occurrence of preload loss abnormality in the in-cylinder pressure sensor
5 is determined by means for, for example, setting an abnormality flag to
be ON. Then, the routine comes to the end.

[0117] The above process makes it possible to detect preload loss
abnormality in the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5. The first embodiment
also makes it possible to accurately detect the sign of preload loss
abnormality by using both of the first and second sign judgment
techniques.

[0118] In the first embodiment, which has been described above, obtainment
of output from the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 by the ECU 50
corresponds to the "obtaining means" according to the first aspect of the
present invention; step S100 and S102 in the routine of FIG. 8
corresponds to the "output abnormality detecting means" according to the
first aspect of the present invention; step S104 in the routine of FIG. 8
corresponds to the "drift reset means" according to the first aspect of
the present invention; step S106 in the routine of FIG. 8 corresponds to
the "preload loss abnormality detecting means" according to the first
aspect of the present invention. Also, in the first embodiment, the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 corresponds to the "in-cylinder pressure
sensor"; the strain gage element 20 corresponds to the "pressure sensing
element".

[0119] Also, in the above described first embodiment, step S104 in the
routine of FIG. 8 corresponds to the "abnormal circumstance drift reset
means" according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[Modifications of First Embodiment]

(First Modification)

[0120] In the first embodiment, the existence of the abnormality of
preload loss was detected for the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 which has
the strain gauge element 20. However, configuration of an in-cylinder
pressure sensor to which the abnormality detection of the present
invention may be applied is not limited to this in-cylinder pressure
sensor 5. In case of preload-provided-type in-cylinder pressure sensor,
regardless of strain gauge type or piezo-electric type, the problem of
preload loss may occur. Therefore, if an in-cylinder pressure sensor is
preload-provided-type, the present invention may be applied. Thus, the
present invention does not restrict the detailed configuration of strain
gauge element or piezoelectric element.

[0121] Besides, there are various types of configurations and attachment
manners of in-cylinder pressure sensor. For example, various types of
in-cylinder pressure sensors such as an ignition plug unification system,
a fuel injector unification system, and a system in which a part of
configuration of in-cylinder pressure sensor is exposed in cylinder as
described in JP-A-2005-291091, are known. The problem of preload loss
abnormality may occur in these several types of in-cylinder pressure
sensors as far as they are preload-provided-type in-cylinder pressure
sensor. Therefore, as far as preload is provided, the present invention
can be widely applied to various in-cylinder pressure sensors including
these exemplary described manners and configurations.

[0122] Besides, regardless of strain gauge type or piezo-electric type,
some articles are already known with respect to appearance of the output
drift of an in-cylinder pressure sensor. For example, with respect to
temperature drift, JP-A-7-301145 is disclosed. Besides, with respect to
techniques for compensation of output drift, many techniques are already
known as described in, for example, JP-A-2007-327502. Therefore, the
various techniques for compensation of output drift (cancellation of the
drift influence) of an in-cylinder pressure sensor may be suitably used
instead of the technique exemplarily described in the first embodiment.
Moreover, it is also possible to use either a type of output compensation
function which resets the influence of drift at once or a type of output
compensation function which reduce the amount of drift.

[0123] In addition, although not illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, if an
open-circuit accident or a short circuit occurs in the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5, its output characteristic will become basically flat
over the whole region of crank angle. By contrast, in case of preload
loss, there remain a region having sensitivity as illustrated in FIGS. 3
to 5 (specifically, a region corresponding to a high in-cylinder pressure
region during compression stroke and expansion stroke). That is, preload
loss abnormality may cause a misunderstanding that the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 emits output signal corresponding to the in-cylinder
pressure. At this point, preload loss abnormality is different from
failure modes of an open-circuit failure and a short circuit.

[0124] It should be noted that the first embodiment performs the preload
loss abnormality detection in the internal-combustion engine which
performs the intake air amount control with the throttle valve 2.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, there
is also a type of internal-combustion engine which performs intake air
amount control by controlling precisely the opening characteristics of an
intake valve instead of a throttle valve. Also in such a type, as far as
under operational condition that the difference of intake pressure and
exhaust pressure is large, preload loss abnormality can be judged by
using output value from an in-cylinder pressure sensor as well as the
first embodiment.

Second Embodiment

[0125] Second embodiment according to the present invention will now be
described hereinafter. The second embodiment includes the same hardware
configuration as the first embodiment. In the following, difference with
the first embodiment is mainly explained and description is omitted about
the same matter.

[0126]FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining preload loss abnormality
detection technique according to the second embodiment. An output
characteristic 90 in FIG. 9 is influenced by preload loss abnormality. If
preload loss abnormality occurs, the lower output saturated point of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 does not necessarily become the circuit
limit value Vmin. The lower output saturation point may appear at a
position between the voltage V0 by zero point offset and the circuit
limit value Vmin Like the output characteristic 90 of

[0127]FIG. 9. In case where such a variation of lower output saturation
point is taken in consideration, the judgment performed at step S106 of
FIG. 8 in the first embodiment may not work effectively.

[0128] The inventor observed the behavior of the output of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 in an intake stroke. FIG. 10 illustrates the rate of
change of the value of an in-cylinder pressure based on the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 according to crank angle. That is,
dθ, in case where an in-cylinder pressure is P and crank angle is
θ, is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the output
characteristic of preload loss abnormality holds dθ=0 during an
intake stroke. This is clearly different from normal output
characteristics. The variation of lower output saturation point described
in FIG. 9 has no relationship to the behavior whether or not dθ
becomes zero. That is, the conditions of dθ=0 is a criterion being
applicable in common to several in-cylinder pressure sensors in which
each lower output saturation point differs. Hence, the second embodiment
performs a judgment using the dθ instead of the judgment at step
S106 of FIG. 8 in the first embodiment.

[0129] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a routine that is executed by
the ECU 50 in the second embodiment. Except for step S206 and step S202,
the flow chart of FIG. 11 is the same as the flow chart of FIG. 8
according to the first embodiment. In the following, explanation is given
mainly about the difference.

[0130] First, the routine of FIG. 11 performs step S100 as well as the
first embodiment. If the query in step S100 is answered "No", the routine
comes to step S202. At step S202, performed is a judgment about whether
dθ from BTDC 180 degree to IVC equals to zero or not. Detailed
description is not given about the method of calculation of the detailed
value of dθ here since known computation techniques can be properly
used. Here, BTDC 180 degree corresponds to an intake bottom dead center
and. IVC corresponds to a crank angle at which an intake valve closes. If
the relationship in this step is not satisfied, the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 has changed in a period from BTDC 180
degree to IVC. Then, it is possible to consider that the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 does not have abnormality of the dead band in a period
from BTDC 180 degree to IVC. Therefore, the routine comes to the end.

[0131] If the condition of step S202 is established, the routine comes to
step S104. At step S104, drift reset is performed as described in the
first embodiment. Then, in the second embodiment, processing comes to
step S206. At step S206, the same processing as step 202 is performed
again. That is, performed is the judgment about whether dθ from
BTDC 180 degree to IVC equals to zero or not. If the relationship
dθ=0 is satisfied again at step S206, the routine comes to step
S108 and existence of preload loss abnormality is determined as in the
first embodiment. Besides, if the query in step S206 is answered "No",
the routine comes to step S110 and nonexistence of preload loss
abnormality is determined as in the first embodiment. Then, the routine
comes to the end.

[0132] The above processings make it possible to detect preload loss
abnormality of an in-cylinder pressure sensor on the basis of output
change of the in-cylinder pressure sensor in an intake stroke. By using
dP/dθ as a base of detection, dead band of each in-cylinder
pressure sensor is detectable in common under a plurality of situations
where the magnitude of the output value of each in-cylinder pressure
sensor in the dead band region differs. As described above, according to
the second embodiment, the sign judgment of preload loss abnormality and
the preload loss abnormality detection can be effectively performed by
using the output rate of change of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5. It
should be noted that the present invention is not limited only to
judgment whether or not dP/dθ is completely equal to zero. For
example, processing as in the second embodiment may be performed by
judging whether or not dP/dθ equals to a minute value which can be
considered substantially as zero (or by judging whether or not a value of
dP/dθ is within a minute range).

Third Embodiment

[0133] Third embodiment includes the same hardware configuration as the
second embodiment. In the following, difference with the second
embodiment is mainly explained and description is omitted about common
matter of them.

[0134] In both of the first and second embodiments, sign judgment of
preload loss abnormality of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is
performed based on the ratio of Pim to Pex. This uses a relationship
which exhaust pressure is sufficiently higher than intake pressure.
However, there is a case where this relationship may not be satisfied.
For example, in an internal combustion engine having a supercharger,
intake pressure may become so high that Pim≧Pex is established. In
this case, it may be impossible to perform the sign judgment based on the
ratio of Pim to Pex with sufficiently high accuracy.

[0135] For this reason, in the third embodiment, following technique is
adopted in view of the above point. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a
routine that is executed by the ECU 50 in the third embodiment. Except
steps S300 and S302 are added, it is the same as the flow chart of FIG.
11 according to the second embodiment.

[0136] That is, first of all, the third embodiment detects whether the
internal combustion engine is performing fuel-cut (step S300). If
fuel-cut is being performed, the routine comes to S302 and the throttle
valve 2 is controlled so as to be closed completely (closing condition).
Under this condition, the sign judgment based on the ratio of Pim to Pex
(step S100) is performed.

[0137] Thereby, the sign judgment based on the ratio of Pim to Pex can be
performed under throttle closing condition which makes the difference of
intake pressure and exhaust pressure to be markedly enlarged. As a
result, sign judgment can be achieved with high accuracy.

[0138] It should be noted that, in the third embodiment, execution of step
S100 after closing of the throttle by step S300 and S302 of the routine
of FIG. 12 corresponds to the "condition judgment means" in the sixth
aspect of the present invention. Besides, in the third embodiment, the
processing of step S300 in the routine of FIG. 12 corresponds to the
"fuel-cut detecting means" in the seventh aspect of the present
invention, and processing of step S302 corresponds to the "closing means"
in the seventh aspect of the present invention.

[0139] It should be noted that, in the third embodiment, the throttle
valve 2 is closed during the fuel-cut. However, the present invention is
not limited to this. For example, an internal-combustion engine with the
variable valve timing system which can halt its intake valve is known.
Such internal combustion engine can close its intake passage and enlarge
the difference of Pim and Pex by halting the intake valve properly so as
to establish closing condition. By holding an intake valve at closing
condition, the same effect as the third embodiment can be obtained also
in the internal combustion engines which, for example, do not have a
throttle valve (diesel engines, or gasoline engines which controls an
intake air amount by opening characteristics of an intake valve, etc.)

Fourth Embodiment

[0140] A fourth embodiment is designed so as to control operating
situation of the various application programs each using the output of
the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 according to the grade of preload loss
abnormality. As described in the first embodiment, preload loss in the
strain gauge element 20 is caused by a plastic deformation arising from
various kinds of power due to knocking or the like. A main factor of
preload loss, for example a magnitude of the power applied to the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 or a degree of a distortion of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5, may differ according to each situation.
Therefore, the condition of preload loss in the strain gauge element 20
does not necessarily become uniform. According to this, there may be a
plurality of cases with respect to the grade of preload loss abnormality.
For example, there may be a serious case where measurement by an
in-cylinder pressure becomes impossible in whole crank-angle area, or
there also may be a slight case where dead band occurs only in the first
stage of intake stroke. Therefore, the fourth embodiment controls the
operating situation of the various application programs each using the
output of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 in accordance with the grade
of preload loss abnormality.

[Configuration and Operation of Fourth Embodiment]

[0141] The fourth embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the
first embodiment. Furthermore, the fourth embodiment can perform
processing of a preload loss abnormality judgment as in the first
embodiment (or the second or third embodiment). In the following,
differences with the first to third embodiments are mainly explained and
description is omitted about common matter of them.

[0142] In the fourth embodiment, the following application programs are
installed in ECU 50.

[0143] (a) A program which detects an intake air amount in each cylinder
on the basis of a measured value of in-cylinder pressure obtained by the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 (hereinafter, referred to as an "air amount
detection program")

[0144] (b) A combustion rate (MFB) calculation program which uses a
measured value of in-cylinder pressure obtained by the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5, and a control program using PVk

[0145] (c) A knocking detection program which uses a measured value of
in-cylinder-pressure obtained by the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5

[0146] It should be noted that techniques of intake-air-amount detection
of each cylinder, combustion rate (MFB) calculation, control using PVk,
and knocking detection, which are performed on the basis of in-cylinder
pressure, are already known arts. Therefore, detailed description is not
given here.

[0147] In the fourth embodiment, a part of output of the in-cylinder
pressure sensor 5 is used as a base of calculation of the various
above-mentioned programs. That is, each program uses the output which is
obtained by the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 while crank angle is in a
determined range as the basis of the calculation. It should be noted that
the output ranges where the each program refers to, in other words, crank
angles at which the output starts to be referred and crank angles at
which the output ends to be referred in the each program, are not
necessarily the same.

[0148] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an area where the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is used in the air content detection
program of the fourth embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as an "air
content detection area"). As illustrated in the figure, in the fourth
embodiment, the air amount detection program uses the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 obtained in the range of minus 60 degree to
plus 60 degree.

[0149] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an area where the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is used in the MFB calculation program of
the fourth embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as a "MFB calculation
area"). As illustrated in the figure, in the fourth embodiment, the MFB
calculation program uses the output of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5
in the range of minuses 60 degree to plus 60 degree. Hereinafter, for
convenience, the crank angle corresponding to the starting point of the
MFB calculation area is referred to as θ1.

[0150] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an area where the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is used in the program for knocking
detection according to the fourth embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as
a "knocking gate area"). As illustrated in the figure, in the fourth
embodiment, the program for knocking detection uses the output of the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 in the range from the angle slightly before
0 degree to plus 60 degree. Hereinafter, for convenience, the crank angle
corresponding to the starting point of the knocking gate area is referred
to as θ2.

[0151] In the fourth embodiment, detection of existence or nonexistence of
preload loss abnormality in the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is
performed with respect to the air amount detection area, the MFB
calculation area, and the knocking gate area illustrated in FIGS. 13 to
15. Then, execution/stop of each program is switched in accordance with
the grade of preload loss abnormality.

[Details of Process Performed by Fourth Embodiment]

[0152] A process according to the fourth embodiment will now be described
in detail. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a routine that is executed
by the ECU 50 in the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 16, step S100 is the same
as that of the first embodiment, and steps S300 and S302 are the same as
that of the third embodiment.

[0153] First, the routine of FIG. 16 comes to step S300 and S302. This
makes it possible to judge whether or not the conditions for performing
the highly accurate sign judgment are satisfied as in the third
embodiment. If the conditions in step S300 and S302 for the sign judgment
are satisfied, the routine comes to step S100 and the sign judgment using
the ratio of Pim to Pex is performed. If the query in step S100 is
answered "No", no sign of preload loss abnormality is found and the
routine comes to the end.

[0154] If the condition of step S100 is satisfied, existence of the sign
of preload loss abnormality is determined. In this case, the routine
comes to step S400 and following processing.

[0155] Step S400 firstly performs a judgment about whether or not the
voltage value V (Pim) is the same as the circuit limit value Vmin. If
this condition is satisfied, preload loss abnormality may have occurred
so as to prevent measurement of in-cylinder pressure of intake stroke.
Accordingly, preload-loss-abnormality judgment routine is performed
sequently (step S406). At this step S406, the routine of FIG. 8 described
in the first embodiment is executed. If it is judged that preload loss
abnormality has occurred, the air amount detection program is turned OFF
(step S408). Thereafter, the routine comes to the end.

[0156] In the fourth embodiment, if the condition of step S400 is not
satisfied, the routine sequently comes to step S402. Processing at the
step S402 performs a judgment whether a voltage value V(P.sub.θ1)
is the same as the circuit limit value Vmin. Here, an in-cylinder
pressure at the crank angle θ1 is referred to as P.sub.θ1 and
the voltage value V (P.sub.θ1), which is obtained from the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5, means an output voltage used for
computation of an in-cylinder pressure P.sub.θ1. If this condition
is satisfied, there is a possibility that preload loss abnormality may
have occurred so as to prevent measurement of in-cylinder pressure which
should be used as the basis of MFB calculation. Then, a routine for
preload-loss-abnormality judgment is executed sequently (step S406). If
the result of the judgment indicates that preload loss abnormality has
occurred, the control program using PVk is turned OFF (step S410).
Thereafter, the routine comes to the end.

[0157] In the fourth embodiment, if the conditions of step S402 is not
satisfied, then the routine comes to step S404. This step S404 performs a
judgment whether or not the voltage value V (P.sub.θ2) equals to
the circuit limit value Vmin. Here, an in-cylinder pressure at the crank
angle θ1 is referred to as P.sub.θ1 and the voltage value V
(P.sub.θ1), which is obtained from the in-cylinder pressure sensor
5, means an output voltage used for computation of an in-cylinder
pressure P.sub.θ1. If this condition is satisfied, there is a
possibility that preload loss abnormality may have occurred so as to
prevent measurement of in-cylinder pressure which should be used as the
basis of the knocking detection program. Then, a routine for
preload-loss-abnormality judgment is executed sequently (step S406). If
the result of the judgment indicates that preload loss abnormality has
occurred, the knocking detection program is turned OFF (step S412).
Thereafter, the routine comes to the end.

[0158] According to the above processing, when preload loss abnormality is
detected, use of the output of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 can be
restricted as necessary. Specifically, the fourth embodiment can suppress
undesirable situation where the above application programs use the
in-cylinder pressure sensor output including the influence of preload
loss abnormality. This makes it possible to suppress a harmful effect
caused by the output of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 including the
influence of preload loss abnormality in the control of the
internal-combustion engine. As a result, the harmful effect to the
operational state of the internal combustion engine arising from preload
loss abnormality can be suppressed.

[0159] Besides, the fourth embodiment can permit such abnormalities if the
influence of preload loss abnormality has occurred in an area where the
above-mentioned various programs do not access. As a result, available
outputs among the outputs from the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 can be
continuously used while suppressing the harmful effect to the operational
state of an internal-combustion engine.

[0160] In the fourth embodiment, which has been described above, the ECU
50 corresponds to the "control means" according to the eleventh aspect of
the present invention, the processing at steps S100 to S412 in the
routine of FIG. 16 described above correspond to the "restriction means"
according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention.

[0161] Further, in the fourth embodiment, which has been described above,
the each application programs (a) to (c) corresponds to the "parameter
computation means" according to the twelfth aspect of the present
invention, the processing at steps S400, S402 and S404 in the routine of
FIG. 16 described above correspond to the "influence judgment means"
according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention. Also, in the
fourth embodiment, which has been described above, the processings at
steps S400, S402 and S404 in the routine of FIG. 16 described above
correspond to the "sensor output use restriction means" according to the
twelfth aspect of the present invention.

[0162] It should be noted that the routine of FIG. 16 according to the
fourth embodiment is an example and other variations may be possible. For
example, the processings after step S400, the processings after S402 and
the processings after S404 may be concurrently executed after step S100
is completed. On the other hand, processing of S300 and S302 may be
removed.

[0163] It should be noted that the fourth embodiment described above
continues to use the output of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 if the
grade of preload loss abnormality is slight, i.e., if the influence of
preload loss abnormality has occurred outside of an area where the
various above-mentioned application programs use as the basis. However,
the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also
possible to take an action in which the use of output from the
in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 is equally forbidden over the whole crank
angle in accordance with the judgment condition of preload loss
abnormality, as necessary.

[0164] It should be noted that the routine of the detailed processing
according to the above described embodiments performs compensation of
output drift by reduction or cancelation when dead band is detected by
the dead band detection in outputs from the in-cylinder pressure sensor 5
(the "sign judgment"). However, the present invention is not limited to
this.

[0165] For example, the present invention can be applied in a case where,
although differ from the first embodiment, reduction or cancelation of
output drift is performed continuously (otherwise, for example, in every
predetermined time, every predetermined crank angle, or every
predetermined cycle) regardless of the existence or nonexistence of dead
band occurrence in an in-cylinder pressure sensor. Besides, in case where
a routine for reduction or cancelation of output drift is executed when
other predetermined condition except for dead band appearance is
satisfied, the present invention can also be applied.

[0166] Also in these cases, the processing for detection of existence of
preload loss abnormality (specifically, in the above embodiments, the
processing at S106, S108 and S110 in FIG. 8) may be executed on the basis
of whether or not dead band exists in the output characteristic of an
in-cylinder pressure sensor after reduction or cancellation of output
drift. It should be noted that various techniques for determination of a
timing (occasion, condition) of output drift reduction or cancelation are
already known and, therefore, those various known techniques may be used.

[0167] Still more specifically, for example, a drift reset routine may be
designed so that the drift reset processing at step S104 of the routine
in FIG. 8 can be executed at predetermined intervals. Then, aside from
the drift reset routine, a routine to execute the processings S106, S108
and S110 in FIG. 8 after reduction or cancellation of the output drift by
that routine is also prepared. Otherwise, in order to execute the
processing of S106, S108 and S110 in FIG. 8 at a next step of drift
reset, S106, S108 and S110 may be included in the drift reset routine.

[0168] Thereby, the existence of preload loss abnormality can be detected
on the basis of whether or not dead band exists in the output
characteristic of an in-cylinder pressure sensor after reduction or
cancellation of output drift.